News

Great Lever man set fire to brother's flat in row over rent

AN arsonist caused £10,000 of damage to the flat he lived in with his brother after a row over rent payments.

James Stanton, aged 19, of Lever Edge Lane, Great Lever, has admitted setting fire to the flat in Roseneath Road where he lived with his brother Daniel on July 21, 2013.

The pair had been at a party, where they had argued over paying rent, Bolton Crown Court heard.

Stanton was unemployed and his brother had recently found a new job in a factory.

Stanton admitted leaving the party and starting the fire in the living room of the Roseneath Road flat in the early hours of July 21.

He then returned to the blaze and taunted his brother, before the pair fought in the street outside their home, according to witnesses.

Stanton said “oh, what’s happened to your flat” and “I’ve set fire to the place so you cannot throw me out”.

The blaze caused thousands of pounds worth of damage and destroyed many of Daniel Stanton’s personal belongings.

As he left the party, Stanton was heard to say “I’m going to kill you and burn your flat down”.

The court was told the relationship between the brothers had been difficult in the past but that they had been getting along until Daniel Stanton’s new job “caused friction”.

Stanton did not believe he should need to contribute rent given his brother was the only one with a job, the court was told.

Judge Timothy Stead said it was inevitable Stanton would face a lengthy custodial sentence but was forced to adjourn the hearing for another seven days because Stanton told a psychiatrist he had not intended for the fire to spread and that he had called the emergency services before he left the flat.

Judge Stead said this claim would have to be checked as it could be significant in providing Stanton with a basis of plea in relation to the extent his actions were dangerous.